Company Programme finals

The Young Enterprise Company Programme is renowned as the ultimate teenage enterprise challenge. Over the course of a year groups of students create and run real profit-generating businesses under the guidance of an expert business volunteer.

They draw up business plans, create products and services, raise share capital, sell to the public at trade fairs and face fierce scrutiny from judges in several grueling rounds of the Company Programme competition. The competition, funded by HSBC, ends with a glittering final in London and the possibility of a trip to compete against the finest young entrepreneurs in Europe.

Here’s an in-depth look at the often remarkable teams, products and prize winners from our most recent contests:

Supported by:

Company Programme 2016

Battle of the Businesses at the Emirates Stadium on 7 July

Teams of enterprising students from across the UK went head to head to be named Best Overall Company at the Young Enterprise Company Final. Enlighten Hope, a social enterprise, from St Patrick’s College in Northern Ireland scooped the top prize on the evening.

Company Programme 2015

14 businesses battle it out on 2 July 2015

More than 25,000 business-savvy young people from across the UK and Gibraltar entered our challenging youth enterprise competition. 14 businesses made it to the UK Company of the Year final which was won by Orenda from St Helen's School.

Company Programme 2014

New school to Young Enterprise wins the UK Company programme Final!

Students from Southborough High School, south west London, have been crowned the winners of the Young Enterprise UK Company of the Year title 2014 with their product, a pressure sensitive adhesive pad.

Company Programme 2012

It's the Vitamin Boom's cup of tea

The Vitamin Boom, a business founded by a group of 16-17-year-olds from Balcarras School, a Gloucestershire comprehensive, won the HSBC Innovation Awards Company of the Year 2012 title presented by business secretary Vince Cable for their tea drink based on the super fruit, baobab.

Company Programme 2011

Summit champions of UK and Europe

Summit, a company formed by students from St Paul's School, Barnes, was named Young Enterprise Company of the Year 2011 for their Perfume Pen. They went on to win the European title against 33 other nations at a final in Oslo.